Sri Lanka‘s first electric taxi service ‘E-drive’ launched

16 June 2023 09:27 am - 33 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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President of the David Pieris Group David Pieris along with Group Chairman and Managing Director Rohana Dissanayake preparing to go the first hire in E-drive at the launch

Turning a new page in passenger transport, David Pieris Motor Company (Private) Limited, Sri Lanka’s largest automotive company, yesterday launched E-drive, a model electric three-wheeler (tuk-tuk) taxi service for public transportation for the first time in Sri Lanka.

E drive which the company is introducing as a model project not only provides a cheaper means of transport for the public but also ensures safety and better experience for passengers – with a reduction of noise, and a smoother ride due to reduced vibrations.

E-drive will charge a flat rate of Rs. 65 per kilometre with no added peak hour charges. A total of 20 Bajaj three-wheelers have been converted to electric under the pilot project.

E-drive electric three-wheeler fleet
Pix by Kithsiri De Mel

These three-wheelers will initially operate in Colombo and its immediate suburbs. The vehicles can easily be identified due to their white and green branding and the service will be available from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday.

They can be hailed down on the road, booked via the YOGO taxi-hailing mobile app and through a dedicated hotline 077 7 606077.

With the objective to produce a well-disciplined, professional taxi driver force in the country, the drivers of the E-drive taxi service have been trained not only on how to drive this vehicle but have also received refresher training in road rules and road etiquette.

In addition, all vehicles are monitored centrally by the Company. The drivers will be wearing an E-Drive uniform, and their details will be displayed in the vehicle for the customer’s information along with a telephone number to call for any issues or driver feedback.

Commenting on E-Dive, Jayantha Ratnayake, Executive Director, David Pieris Holdings (Private) Limited and David Pieris Automotive Cluster said, “We are proud to be the first company to obtain approval to register our converted Bajaj Three-wheelers.

We want to not only use this platform to allow the public to use this greener, cheaper means of transport but also to ensure passengers get a safer ride with disciplined, trained drivers which we hope will set new standards for three-wheeler taxi services.” “As the experts of Bajaj vehicles in Sri Lanka, we can confidently guarantee the electric conversion done by the DPMC, Only the correct conversions can ensure safety and comfort for the passenger travelling in the vehicle,” he stressed.

Comments - 33

Liberal One Friday, 16 June 2023 09:49 AM

See, we can solve our issues without blaming everything on "leaders" and then going to sleep. Well done david peiris.

German Friday, 16 June 2023 09:50 AM

This looks really great! Congratulations.

Sokrates Friday, 16 June 2023 10:11 AM

While it is commendable to make vehicles environmentally friendly, unless the vehicles' batteries are not charged with green energy, it does little to help the environment. Furthermore, these moving death traps should gradually disappear from the streets. The import of 3-wheelers should be banned permanently.

JeffK Friday, 16 June 2023 03:13 PM

Can you afford car taxis? Majority can't.

Sumo Saturday, 17 June 2023 01:13 PM

Always negative on everything. Get a life or blah blah

Wise ChanceSeller Friday, 16 June 2023 10:15 AM

Excellent move. Wealth distribution is already a problem and the IMF programme might make the gap even wider. If by introducing technology like this example we can allow higher profit margins to reach the poorer segment of society we can address the wealth distribution issue as well. 51% of the country's wealth is with 19% of the population.

Jude Friday, 16 June 2023 10:21 AM

Now you've to look for electricity, and it's very expensive!!

Jayamaha Friday, 16 June 2023 10:42 AM

very good initiative.

Unais Hashim Friday, 16 June 2023 11:31 AM

Congratulations

Mohan Friday, 16 June 2023 12:20 PM

Brilliant

Dee Friday, 16 June 2023 12:50 PM

Adding more problems to an already ailing country. 3 wheeler should be banned it gives an eerie sense of insecurity and 3 rd world feeling.

Karalasingam Sivalingam Friday, 16 June 2023 12:52 PM

Encouraging venture, 65/= km is toomuch, bring it down to 50/= per km. Cars are operating for 65_= per km.

Arnold Friday, 16 June 2023 01:31 PM

what is the big deal is making it more expensive. All what we need is to go from A to B the fastest possible way and with the least cost. Uniforms, fancy names are of no use.

Jehan Friday, 16 June 2023 03:16 PM

Ok let me send you a driver without any clothes for 10 rupees less. Sri Lankan mentality is pathetic after the aragalaya.

Citizen k Friday, 16 June 2023 01:36 PM

Well done .The company is a path finder.I will use the taxi and send you comments whether positive or negative to make it better.Again a brilliant concept.

There are suggestions by some idiots to ban 3 wheelers. Friday, 16 June 2023 02:08 PM

Now everyone in Colombo who is looking for a ride by 3wheeler will keep looking for this scarce e Drive as it is only Rs 65.00 per km at all times of the day. Only 20 such vehicles have been converted so far and it is a long long wait for others to enjoy this ride by eDrive .

joshua Friday, 16 June 2023 02:12 PM

Killer vehicle goes electric.

Whysonegative Friday, 16 June 2023 02:15 PM

Someone here always has something negative to say when good things are being done. We might need energy to charge these vehicles, but atleast we do not need to import Petrol specifically to do this.

made in Sri Lanka Friday, 16 June 2023 02:42 PM

First of all atleast learn how to manufacture a Bajaj three wheeler without having to import from India before installing an E drive motor otherwise the job is only half done.

karu Friday, 16 June 2023 03:22 PM

E-drive concept is good. and good transformation . but safety on a 3 wheeler ? I wonder which safety standard they applied ?

sam Friday, 16 June 2023 04:00 PM

Well done, good project

Ahmed Friday, 16 June 2023 05:37 PM

seems like sri lanka will never get rid of three wheelers

Jayantha Friday, 16 June 2023 05:44 PM

With the electricy cost this may be nota viable project on long term basis unless solar systems to given for each home that provides this service.

SAFETY FOUR WHEEL Friday, 16 June 2023 06:26 PM

Congratulations! Why not extend to a fleet of Electric 'Small' cars -NOT 'THREE WHEELERS"?

Tissa Fernando Friday, 16 June 2023 06:37 PM

Please ensure that your drivers are well looked after and their behaviour is constantly being monitored as it is very easy to deviate from the initial discipline.

ANNECUNT Saturday, 17 June 2023 01:23 AM

DO NOT GIVE CREDIT TO MR NAMAL RAJAPAKSA , HE THINKS HE DID ALL THE HARD WORK

VJ Saturday, 17 June 2023 08:56 AM

Before deploying the electric three wheelers, the manufacturers must reveal how they plan to dispose used batteries. Three wheelers and their operators are a menace on the roads, more than half of the road accidents taking involves three wheelers. They are also involved in numerous illegal activities. They seldom respect traffic regulations. Three wheelers may have gone electric but the drivers and their attitude will remain. No three wheelers are allowed to operate without a meter. Check the three wheeler stand at the Wattala junction, none are fitted with meters and a traffic police post is only ten feet away.

Trekkurious1662 Saturday, 17 June 2023 09:37 AM

GREAT INITIATIVE Team DPMC!! …..

Mohan Saturday, 17 June 2023 07:43 PM

@VJ: People should simply boycott those three-wheelers without a meter and they will learn.

Zaza Saturday, 17 June 2023 11:53 PM

Congratulations to David Peiris. Very good move long over due.

Avery Markham Sunday, 18 June 2023 03:39 AM

Have you seen three wheelers in civilised countries ?

Anthony Perera Sunday, 18 June 2023 01:51 PM

Yes

citizen Monday, 19 June 2023 05:45 PM

Sri Lanka should slowly phase out these death traps sold by India. Sri Lanka should not be a dumping ground for cheap Indian products. They have absolutely no safety features: seatbelts, airbags, helmets etc like other road vehicles. My aunt was killed in a three wheeler when it toppled and she hit her head.

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Sri Lanka‘s first electric taxi service ‘E-drive’ launched

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